steadied start, steady headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, plugged on
slowly into stride, mid-division, headway 5f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, ran on
tracked leader, led after 1f, headed over 7f out, led again over 2f out, headed and weakened over 1f out
steadied start, mid-division, headway 3f out, bumped over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, held on
in touch, weakened 3f out
mid-division, ridden and weakened 3f out
always in the rear
mid-division, lost place 7f out, soon behind
held up, steady headway 4f out, bumped over 2f out, ridden and ran on, just failed
in touch, close up 2f out, ridden and weakened approaching 1f out
tracked leaders, led over 4f out, ridden when headed over 2f out, weakened and eased
led and keen, headed after 1f out, led again over 7f out, headed over 4f out and weakened
Nonrunner
LYTHAM is in great form and he can get his head in front at the main expense of Desert Hawk and John Potts. The selection won two on the bounce prior to his run at Kempton on Wednesday night and he remains relatively lightly-raced for an 8-year-old. He has a fair draw here and Toby Atkinson takes a handy 5lbs off his back so he is entitled to go close. Desert Hawk is versatile with regards to the trip and he has won his last two starts over this course and distance. He does have a penalty for his most recent success but he clearly loves it here and he can't be ruled out. John Potts has gone close on his last two starts here and he was a little unlucky when he was collared close home by Nautical last time. He has been galvanised by the cheek-pieces of late but he has now gone 19 races without getting his head in front and on that basis we will take him on. Mr Chocolate Drop will need some luck to score from stall 10, and we prefer the claims of Lytham who looks a solid bet.
Mr Chocolate Drop (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Steadied start, held up in rear, steady headway from over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong to gain on leaders near finish, 4th of 13, 2l behind Ergo (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
That'll Do Nicely (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Never better than mid-division, 8th of 12, 9l behind Alf Tupper (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Duneen Dream (USA) 15-2 (8-6) In touch, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 15, 7l behind Jemiliah (8-9) at Salisbury 1m 3yo app hcp (6) gf in Jun.
Ridgeway Jazz 10-1 (8-4) Held up in rear, headway under pressure on outer over 2f out, went moderate 4th over 1f out, 4th of 8, 9l behind Dishdasha (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Rub of The Relic (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, not reached leaders, 7th of 13, 17l behind Safin (9-1) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Lytham (IRE) 3-1fav (8-12) Mid-division, smooth headway to lead over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, pushed out, comfortably, won at Kempton 1m 3f app hcp (6) std beating Noah Jameel (8-13) by 2l, 13 ran.
Barton Sands (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Behind, headway over 2f out, kept on to take 3rd entering final furlong, no extra, weakened final 100 yards, 5th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Old Romney (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Desert Hawk 3-1fav (8-9) Held up towards rear, came wide entering straight, headway over 1f out, hedged left well inside final furlong, led near finish, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) pol beating High Five Society (8-10) by a nk, 10 ran.
Barodine 25-1 (8-8) Keen, tracked leader, led over 2f out, hung right and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Bombardier Wells (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f sll (6) pol.
John Potts 11-4fav (8-12) In touch, lost place over 5f out, headway over 2f out, challenged going well over 1f out, ridden when winner kicked on inside final furlong, ran on towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Nautical (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) p.
Karmei 7-2 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on to go 3rd well inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Nautical (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Plaka (FR) 20-1 (9-0) Steadied start, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 7th of 9, 5l behind A Dream Come True (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Feb '08.
Hill of Lujain 8-1 (8-6) Held up, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 7l behind Waldorf (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (6) std.
